Liverpool Baltic chosen as name for new £50m city rail station

A public vote has determined the name of a new £50m Liverpool rail station, to be situated in the heart of the city’s Baltic Triangle.

The former St James station, which closed in 1917, will be known as Liverpool Baltic, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has revealed.

Three options were suggested in January this year – Liverpool Baltic, Liverpool Parliament Street, Liverpool Riverside – and after a four week period voting closed with Liverpool Baltic the clear winner with 77.7%.

Liverpool Parliament Street was second on 15.2%, and Liverpool Riverside achieved 7.1% of the vote. More than 1,000 comments were registered in the first 24 hours following the consultation launch.

A decision was taken to change the station name to avoid any confusion with the existing James Street station in Liverpool city centre.

The shortlist was produced after initial discussions between the main partners on the scheme – Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Network Rail, Merseyrail and Liverpool City Council.

The original St James station opened in 1874 and was named after the nearby parish church. It closed in 1917 as a cost-cutting measure during the First World War and was never re-opened.

Mayor Rotheram has pledged to build a station on the site in the Baltic Triangle district, one of the fastest growing areas of the city and home to tech businesses and new residential developments as well as many popular bars, clubs and restaurants.

Giving commuters and leisure visitors to the area a direct connection to the Merseyrail network would support the reduction of car journeys to the area, contributing towards reducing traffic congestion, as well as aspirations to improve air quality across the city region.

The station would be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick Station on the Northern Line and will include passenger toilets, a cycle hub, step-free access to and between both platforms and a passenger drop off area outside.

The scheme is currently in the design development stage. Land has already been purchased to safeguard the site of the new station ticket office building. The current plans aim for the station to be open in 2025, subject to funding being secured for the construction stage.

Steve Rotheram said: “The Baltic Triangle has undergone a true renaissance over the last few years, transforming itself from a forgotten industrial area into a vibrant, creative and thriving place to live, work and socialise. The station’s name is a testament to that success – and will unlock a host of new opportunities for the people and businesses based there, boost footfall, and improve connectivity to the rest of the city region.

“Liverpool Baltic is a great choice and reflects the modern character of the station’s home, which has become one of our region’s greatest transformation stories in recent years.”

Cllr Sarah Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for development and economy, said: “As a name Liverpool Baltic does what it says on the tin – and I’m glad because it will help further cement the Baltic Triangle’s identity throughout the city region.

“This new station will also further help drive the economic growth of this part of the city centre and act as a vital service for the long-standing residential community. Its development will also tie in nicely with the city council’s plans to improve the public realm in the area for both residents and visitors alike. The next few years should define the future of the Baltic Triangle for decades to come and it’s exciting to see this story unfold.”

Andy Heath, managing director of Merseyrail, said: “It’s fantastic to see that so many people from across the Liverpool City Region have had their say in naming this important new station which will be added to the Merseyrail network.

“It’s fitting that this vibrant and forward looking part of the city region has a station name that reflects the transformation it has gone through in recent years.”

Maisie Hogan, scheme sponsor at Network Rail, said: “With Liverpool Baltic being voted as the station’s name, we are now working with our partners to progress the design for this important new transport hub.”